When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, its a good core workout. If youre sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More

In the past 30 years, light artists have reimagined an art form that has always had the ability to turn the night sky, or a simple window, into luminescence. Last fall, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts turned its southern glass wall into a parade of sound-sensing lights, Lightswarm, that changes with the movements of nearby people and things. Future Cities Lab, the San Francisco design company behind Lightswarm, has originated another notable light sculpture. Located by the YBCA's steps at 701 Mission, Murmur Wall will light up in arresting ways as it incorporates local trending search engine results and social media postings. Onlookers can offer their own contributions, which will feed into the Murmur Wall's data stream and light up the sculpture. What's trending in San Francisco? If you're walking by the YBCA, you can see firsthand — at least through light patterns that reflect the city's volatile internet habits.
Murmur Wall debuts Thursday at 6 p.m. and continues through May 31, 2017, at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St., S.F. Free; 415-978-2700 or ybca.org. More

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Mashing up different world cuisines is usually a popular conceit for new quick-service eateries and food trucks to make a quick buck and gain Instagram fame, but Volta has shown how well global cross-pollination works on a refined plate without stretching for novelty or pretense in the process.

There are a number of reasons why you should see a show at The Regency Ballroom — its ornate, turn-of-the-century architecture and eclectic lineup of performers, to name a few — but no reason is more compelling than the venue's ample seating.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

If and when Tea Party hero Sen. Rand Paul visits San Francisco and goes shopping, he'll find friendly faces in the aisles of Rainbow Grocery more quickly than he will any Safeway (especially the Castro location). In addition to the destruction of all government, the Kentucky Republican has legislated in favor of crunchy lifestyle staples raw milk and Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, the latter made from hemp, the only commodity legal in the United States to import, sell, and possess, but not grow.

Drug laws are why David Bronner, current CEO of Dr. Bronner's, was hauled off to jail for marijuana possession after setting up hemp plants in front of the White House on Monday. Bronner, whose company is part of an estimated $400 million domestic hemp market, says Wyden and Paul are "commendable," but the real blame lies with "regressive drug warriors entrenched" in the Obama Administration, which shot down nascent hemp hopes with the pro-enforcement statement.

The Choomer In Chief himself is to blame yet again. Never mind Congress's contentment to let every hemp farming bill die before a committee hearing.

Today, Bronner sends "well over a hundred thousand dollars" to Canada to buy the raw material he uses to make his soaps. The hemp oil he pressed on Pennsylvania Avenue is high in omega-3 fatty acids and is being used as a folk cure for cancer -- and appears to have few serious backers in Congress.

The author of Congress's repeatedly spurned hemp-farming bills is retiring libertarian lion Ron Paul. Rand Paul may be his son, but his politics aren't necessarily in step with the Texas Congressman. Hemp farming does not appear to be one of his priorities: Rand Paul co-sponsored the hemp amendment without issuing a peep of support.

Bronner won't face any hard time for his publicity stunt; he was arrested in 2009 for planting hemp in front of Drug Enforcement Administration headquarters. The ban on hemp, unlike marijuana prohibition, has no avowed backers, yet just enough tacit institutional support to stay effective.

"We've lobbied and campaigned for over a decade and feel abandoned by

our president, who as an Illinois state legislator voted twice for hemp

cultivation,"

Bronner said in a statement, which pointed out that an executive order could free hemp from its illogical yoke. "I expected more from President Obama."

Which is more than can be expected from Congress, unless a new hemp hero steps up.

About The Author

Bio:
Chris Roberts has spent most of his adult life working in San Francisco news media, which is to say he's still a teenager in Middle American years. He has covered marijuana, drug policy, and politics for SF Weekly since 2009.

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Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"